JRU, Perpetual stay in semis race in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the San Beda-A Red Cubs waylaid separate rivals to remain contention for semifinal berths in the 19th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.

Ervin Medrano led three others in scoring double digit figures for the Heavy Bombers, who blasted the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 111-59, last Sunday at the St. Placid gymnasium in San Beda College-Manila in Mendiola.

The trio of Juneric Baloria, Harold Arboleda and Chris Elopre showed the way for the Altas, who outplayed the Letran Knights, 72-65, last Thursday over at the Arellano University gymnasium in Legarda.

In the junior division, Adven Jess Diputado and four others carried the San Beda-A Red Cubs to a 78-44, swamping of the Perpetual Help Altalettes.

Medrano fired 12 points, while Marco Balagtas gave 11, and the pair of Paolo Pontejos and Philip Paniamogan dished out 10 apiece in helping the Heavy Bombers end their  elimination round campaign in Group A with four wins and three losses.

Baloria unloaded 23 points, while Arboleda and Elopre made 18 and 13 points for the Altas, who improved their win-loss record to 3-2 in Group A, and they are on track for a semifinals seat, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

Diputado tallied 10 points, while Pierre Jacob Ancheta, Mark Anthony Framil, Evan Jacob Furaque and Javee Mocon delivered nine apiece for the Red Cubs as they extended their winning run to six in Group A.

Simon de la Cruz shot 18 points for the Jesus is Lord Jilians, who won over University of the East, 76-72, while Emilio Aguinaldo College stopped Ateneo-White, 92-48, in the other junior matches.

In the women’s side, Lupin Gesalan had 17 points for the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (2-1) as they won over La Salle, 47-44.